page59 (1/2)

“You never talked about your mom, or about your life before Schuyler”

Kayla cocked her head “It wasn’t so We lived on welfare in the worst sections of town It usually wasn’t that safe Moet the past, and so like a millstone around her neck—those are her words, by the way, not mine”

“Then, why did she bring you back to Schuyler and take you with her when she left?” Jackson still reone He’d broken up with her because of Marcy being pregnant, which had sucked, but then Kayla had nant

“Mo,” Kayla told hi withher alone She still loves him, but hates him, too, for the way it turned out”

“That still doesn’t explain why she didn’t leave you in Schuyler Surely it would have been better for you both”

“My grandparents asked Mom to let me stay, but I didn’t want her to be alone Besides, I couldn’t stay”

It wasn’t logical, but an intense dislike for Carolyn Garrison went through Jackson Whatever excuses Kayla htmare, too weak and selfish to think of anyone but herself

Hypocrite, an inner voice taunted

Kayla nant; shearound But he had, and then she’d learned he wasthe whole story—the news about Marcy’s i

God, no wonder Kayla disliked him And it was true that his parents hadn’t been happy he was dating her So even if they’d known about Alex and supported her financially, shethe ht have felt it ed to her

“I’m sorry,” he murmured

“I did okay”

“You did better than okay,” he told her

They fell silent again, but it was more comfortable this ti downstairs “Can im now?” she pleaded “There’s a neat pool house where we can change”

“Sure,” Kayla told her “I’ll go with you”

Jackson went to his bedroom to put on his swim trunks, then headed outside

Kayla stood next to the pool in her bathing suit, chatting with Morgan She looked like a s, hair fiery in the sun and a body that made him want to howl

He was in deep trouble